System and method for automatic wireless network authentication in an internet of things (IOT) system

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method are described for a secure IoT wireless network configuration. For example, one embodiment of an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprises: a local wireless communication interface to establish local wireless connections with one or more IoT devices and / or IoT extender hubs; a network router to establish network connections over the Internet on behalf of the IoT devices and / or IoT extender hubs; an authentication module pre-configured with a passphrase and a hidden service set identifier (SSID), the authentication module to receive a connection requests from the IoT devices and / or an IoT extender hubs and to grant the connection requests when the IoT devices and / or IoT extender hubs use the pre-configured passphrase and hidden SSID; and a firewall of the IoT hub to block all outgoing and incoming connection requests other than those directed to designated servers of an IoT service with known host names.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to the field of computer systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for automatic wireless network authentication in an IoT system.[0003]Description of the Related Art[0004]The “Internet of Things” refers to the interconnection of uniquely-identifiable embedded devices within the Internet infrastructure. Ultimately, IoT is expected to result in new, wide-ranging types of applications in which virtually any type of physical thing may provide information about itself or its surroundings and / or may be controlled remotely via client devices over the Internet.[0005]When user get new WiFi-enabled device, such as an IoT device that supports WiFi, a process of registration between the new device and the user home network needs to be executed. This process can be painful if the user does not remember the WiFi credentials or if the device is out of the WiFi coverage area. Furthermore, if...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to a system and method for automatic wireless network authentication in an IoT system. The technical effects of the invention include the ability for users to easily register and authenticate new devices in their home or business without having to remember complex network settings or being within the coverage area of the network. Additionally, the invention provides improved security techniques such as encryption and digital signatures, as well as a method for secure pairing and writing / reading data to / from IoT devices without formally pairing with them. Overall, the invention simplifies the process of connecting and authenticating new devices in the IoT system.

Problems solved by technology

This process can be painful if the user does not remember the WiFi credentials or if the device is out of the WiFi coverage area.

Furthermore, if the device is within the coverage edge of the WiFi network the registration will fail because the low coverage condition will corrupt the process of registration which will result in the access point rejecting the registration of the new device.

The problem is more complicated for users who have multiple WiFi networks inside their home or business.

Finally, a user cannot establish the registration of the new device without being inside the home or business that hosts the private network.

Consequently, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are unable to send a device to a user that is ready to connect to their WiFi networks out of the box.

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